St. John’s Stuns No. 18/21 Oklahoma State 74-67 in Highest-Ranked Victory Since Shocking UConn in 2023

St. John’s Red Storm Erupts for 27 Fourth-Quarter Points to Secure Statement Win at Carnesecca Arena

QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John’s women’s basketball team delivered a statement performance Wednesday night. They defeated No. 18/21 Oklahoma State 74-67 at Carnesecca Arena in front of 726 fans. This victory marks the Red Storm’s highest-ranked win since shocking then-No. 4/5 UConn 69-64 on February 21, 2023, at the XL Center in Hartford.

Beyond the UConn upset, the triumph also represents St. John’s first non-conference regular season victory over a ranked opponent since outlasting then-No. 17/18 Marquette on November 29, 2015. Most recently, the Red Storm defeated then-No. 19/20 Marquette, 57-56, on January 3, 2024, in Big East play.

Perfect Record Against the Cowgirls

Series History: 2-0 All-Time Dominance

With Wednesday’s victory, St. John’s improved to 2-0 all-time against Oklahoma State. The Red Storm extended a perfect record in the series that dates back to March 20, 2012. During the 2011-12 season, the Red Storm’s first meeting with the Cowgirls came in Norman, Oklahoma. St. John’s escaped with a thrilling 74-70 road victory at Lloyd Noble Center.

Eerie Similarities in Final Scores

An eerie similarity in final scores—74-70 in 2012 and 74-67 in 2025—demonstrates St. John’s ability to execute in close games against Oklahoma State. Both victories came by single digits. This showcases the Red Storm’s composure and toughness in tight contests against the Cowgirls.

New Generation, Same Results

A 13-year gap between meetings makes Wednesday’s victory even more significant. An entirely new generation of St. John’s players continued the program’s dominance over Oklahoma State. Combined, the Red Storm has now won both matchups by 11 points, with an average margin of victory of 5.5 points per game.

A Tale of Two Flawed Performances

Sloppy Play Defines Competitive Contest

While the final score suggests a convincing St. John’s victory, the game was marked by sloppy play from both teams. The contest started and ended with unforced errors, missed opportunities, and execution failures. Both coaching staffs left with plenty to address.

Oklahoma State’s Identity Crisis

Oklahoma State entered as a nationally ranked team with early-season dominance. Yet they played like a squad unsure of itself. Known for playing with quick pace and burying opponents with speed and accuracy, the Cowgirls possessed none of those trademark skills Wednesday night. Their inability to execute their game plan cost them a game they should have won.

St. John’s Offensive Struggles

St. John’s played stellar defense but made far too many offensive errors. They struggled particularly from the three-point arc and the free-throw line. Shooting just 2-of-7 (28.6%) from beyond the arc and converting only 20-of-35 (57.1%) from the charity stripe, the Red Storm left points on the table throughout the contest.

The Bottom Line

In the end, this was an upset victory in Queens that Oklahoma State handed to St. John’s. The Red Storm did nearly everything offensively to lose the game. With the game tied and everything on the line in the fourth quarter, the Cowgirls have only themselves to blame. They were outplayed and outhustled.

Fourth Quarter Explosion Seals Upset

Red Storm’s Most Dominant Quarter of the Season

After building a double-digit first-half lead, St. John’s watched Oklahoma State rally to tie the game 47-47 heading into the final frame. Responding with their most dominant quarter of the season, the Red Storm erupted for 27 points in the fourth. They pulled away from the Cowgirls.

The explosive fourth quarter marked St. John’s highest single-quarter scoring output of the 2025-26 season. It showcased the team’s resilience and offensive firepower when it mattered most—even if the execution wasn’t always pretty.

The St. John’s coaching staff praised the team’s composure and toughness throughout the game’s momentum swings.

“We’re really proud of our guys here. The way they competed today was at the highest level I’ve seen them play since we started in the summer,” coach Joe said. “I thought we stuck to our game plan. We executed enough. There’s a lot of slippage in there that we’ve got to be better at, including finishing games at the free-throw line or just even throughout. But I was really, really pleased.”

Dominant Defensive Performance

Holding Nation’s Second-Best Offense to Season Low

St. John’s defense was the story of the night. They held the nation’s second-best scoring offense to just 67 points—nearly 40 points below Oklahoma State’s season average entering the contest. Averaging over 105 points per game, the Cowgirls were limited to a season-low scoring output.

The Red Storm’s defensive intensity was particularly evident in the first half. They held Oklahoma State to just 25 points. Going scoreless from the field for the final 9:36 of the second quarter, the Cowgirls allowed St. John’s to build a commanding 35-25 halftime advantage.

“They’re coming in as a team that was making, I think they were averaging 102 points a game. 40% of their points were from three, 40% of their points are at the rim, 14% are from the free throw line,” the St. John’s coach explained. “I thought we did a really good job. I mean, they didn’t even get, I think they got 16 threes off, and they probably averaged 35 somewhere in there. So I’m really proud of them. We played tough today.”

Shooting Percentages Tell the Story

Oklahoma State shot just 39.6% from the field (21-of-53). They struggled from three-point range, connecting on only 4-of-16 attempts (25.0%). Most damaging to their championship aspirations, the Cowgirls’ 11.1% shooting performance in the second quarter (1-of-9) was particularly brutal.

Limiting Three-Point Volume

The Cowgirls typically average around 35 three-point attempts per game, but were held to just 16 attempts. This was a testament to the Red Storm’s defensive execution and pace control.

Kylie Lavelle explained the defensive game plan: “They were a three-pointer shooting team. They averaged like over 20 a game. So we knew coming in that that was our main focus: getting them off the line and making them make contested twos. I think that’s what we did tonight.”

Lavelle was tasked with guarding Oklahoma State’s leading scorer, Stailee Heard, who finished just 2-of-11 from the field.

“I knew coming in that [Stailee Heard] was going to be my matchup, I don’t let things get into my head. I just keep playing for the whole 40 minutes,” Lavelle said.

Balanced Offensive Attack—With Room for Improvement

Brooke Moore’s Perfect Efficiency Continues

For the second consecutive game, Brooke Moore led St. John’s with a team-high 13 points on perfect 5-of-5 shooting. Over the last two contests, Moore’s efficiency has been remarkable. She continues to make every shot count.

Kylie Lavelle’s All-Around Excellence

Delivering an all-around performance with 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting, Kylie Lavelle added a career-high six assists and five rebounds. On full display, the senior forward’s playmaking ability orchestrated the Red Storm offense. She created opportunities for her teammates.

When asked about the combined 9-of-9 shooting performance from the field by Moore and Lavelle, the duo credited their teammates and execution.

“I feel like our teammates found us. We executed our plays, and I feel like both of us we’re not forcing any shots. I feel like we were looking for the open shot, the best shot that we could get as a team,” Lavelle said.

“I just think, just like running the plays, I thought we had like really good execution tonight. So yeah, good execution, like shots would be easier to take. And also, just our teammates are finding us,” Moore added.

Sa’Mya Wyatt’s Efficient Play

Continuing her efficient play, Sa’Mya Wyatt recorded 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting with eight rebounds. Crucial in neutralizing Oklahoma State’s size advantage, Wyatt’s presence in the paint and on the boards was instrumental.

“We were practicing for them a couple of days, we followed the game plan and we played competitive,” Wyatt said. “We knew coming into this game it was going to be a difficult game, them being a ranked team and all, but I think we played together and then we ended up with the win.”

Supporting Cast Steps Up

Beautiful Waheed contributed seven points, four rebounds, and two steals. Shaulana Wagner added six points despite shooting struggles. Off the bench, Janeya Grant provided a crucial spark with eight points. She hit a clutch and-one and a three-pointer during the decisive fourth-quarter run.

Brooke Moore emphasized the team’s mental toughness throughout the contest.

“I think we just showed just our toughness throughout the game. We didn’t get too high, we didn’t get too low. We just kind of stayed steady and just competed. And that’s all you can ask for,” Moore said. “Oklahoma State was a great team, so we knew we had to give it our 100% and just go out there and fight.”

Shooting Efficiency Continues—But Concerns Remain

Field Goal Percentage Stays Strong

For the second straight game, St. John’s shot better than 58.0% from the field. They finished 26-of-44 (59.1%) against Oklahoma State. Particularly lethal in the first quarter (66.67%) and fourth quarter (72.73%), the Red Storm’s shooting built and then secured their lead.

Three-Point and Free-Throw Woes

However, the Red Storm’s three-point shooting (2-of-7, 28.6%) and free-throw shooting (20-of-35, 57.1%) remain serious concerns. At the charity stripe, St. John’s left significant points on the table. They missed 15 free throws—the kind of offensive inefficiency that will cost them against better-prepared opponents.

Missed Opportunity for Blowout

With better execution, the Red Storm could have easily been up 20-30 points at halftime. Instead, they limped into the break with an 11-point lead. That cushion nearly evaporated in the third quarter when Oklahoma State clawed back into the game.

Dominating the Glass

Stunning Rebounding Advantage

St. John’s outrebounded Oklahoma State by double digits, 31-21. This was a stunning accomplishment considering the Cowgirls entered the game with a plus-26.8 rebounding margin, second in the nation. Neutralizing one of Oklahoma State’s biggest advantages, the Red Storm’s physicality and effort on the boards made the difference.

Leading the way with eight boards, Wyatt spearheaded a team rebounding effort. Controlling the glass limited Oklahoma State’s second-chance opportunities. It also fueled the transition offense for the Red Storm.

The St. John’s coaching staff expressed surprise at the rebounding margin. They noted that while the team isn’t the biggest or most athletic, their effort and positioning made the difference.

Oklahoma State’s head coach Jacie Hoyt was blunt in her assessment of the rebounding battle.

“The rebounding, we’ve got to rebound on both ends of the floor. For us to get defensive rebounds is really important so that we can push the ball. And we didn’t do that. They were killing us at halftime on the glass,” she said. “I don’t think that it was necessarily anything defensively in the half-court. I just didn’t think that we were very aggressive.”

Playmaking on Display

Unselfish Ball Movement

St. John’s dished out 17 assists on 26 field goals. This demonstrated unselfish play and excellent ball movement. Now averaging 19.5 assists per game over the last two contests, the Red Storm reflects improved chemistry and offensive flow—a significant increase.

Leading the way with a career-high six assists, Lavelle orchestrated the offense. But the entire team contributed to the passing clinic. Instrumental in breaking down Oklahoma State’s defense, the Red Storm’s willingness to make the extra pass and find open teammates paid dividends.

Game Flow: Missed Opportunities and Critical Moments

First Quarter: Fast Start Sets Tone

Jumping out to a quick start, St. John’s went 5-of-7 from the field to build an early 12-5 lead. Lavelle nailed a corner three-pointer. Moore finished an and-one in the opening minutes to set the tone.

Extending the lead to double digits at 15-5 with 4:10 remaining in the first quarter, the Red Storm forced Oklahoma State to respond. The Cowgirls answered with a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to 17-14. But Skye Owen’s driving layup gave St. John’s a 19-14 advantage after one quarter.

The St. John’s coaching staff noted that the first quarter established the pace and physicality. This would frustrate Oklahoma State throughout the contest.

Second Quarter: Defensive Dominance, Offensive Struggles

Opening the second quarter with a three-pointer to cut the lead to two, the Cowgirls briefly threatened. However, St. John’s responded with a 6-0 run capped by Moore’s layup. Drilling a contested long two-pointer, Wyatt pushed the lead to 27-18.

Showcasing the Red Storm’s transition game, Owen swiped a steal and threw a perfect pass to Lavelle for a fastbreak layup. Finishing the first half with nine points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting, Lavelle extended the lead to its largest of the night at 34-23 with 1:40 left in the half.

Carrying a 35-25 halftime lead, St. John’s had held Oklahoma State without a field goal for the final 9:36 of the second quarter. This defensive stretch proved crucial to the victory. Yet the Red Storm’s offensive execution left much to be desired. With better shooting from three and the free-throw line, St. John’s could have built a commanding 20-30 point lead. Instead, they took a 10-point cushion into the locker room.

Oklahoma State’s head coach acknowledged that her team scored 11 of its 25 first-half points from the free-throw line. This was a clear indication that the Cowgirls were struggling to generate quality offensive looks in the half-court.

Third Quarter: Oklahoma State’s Rally and St. John’s Complacency

Opening the third quarter with a 9-2 run to make it a one-possession game, the Cowgirls exposed St. John’s lack of focus and killer instinct. Shaulana Wagner stopped the run with a runner. But Oklahoma State continued to battle back.

Tying the score at 39-39 with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter, Micah Gray’s and-one marked the first tie since early in the first quarter. Letting Oklahoma State back into a game that should have been put away at halftime, St. John’s revealed a troubling pattern. This must be addressed.

After Oklahoma State took its first lead since the opening minutes, Moore and Jailah Donald tallied back-to-back buckets to help St. John’s regain control. Entering the fourth quarter tied at 47-47, the teams set up a dramatic final 10 minutes. Oklahoma State should have capitalized on this opportunity.

The Oklahoma State coaching staff felt her team should have entered the fourth quarter with a lead. She cited multiple missed opportunities on offense.

“It was tied going into the fourth. Honestly, I felt like we should have been up. I just say that because we had a lot of advantageous offensive plays that we didn’t convert on,” Hoyt said. “We would get a steal and then turn it over or get a steal, blow a layup. And so we should have had a little bit of a lead. I’m saying like four points, which is a lot in a game like that.”

Fourth Quarter: Red Storm Hustle, Cowgirls Collapse

Opening the fourth quarter with a second-chance bucket off an offensive rebound, Wyatt gave St. John’s the lead for good. Delivering the game’s most crucial sequence, Janeya Grant hit a clutch and-one followed by a three-pointer. This extended the lead to 58-51 with 5:43 remaining.

Providing the exclamation point with an old-fashioned three-point play, Beautiful Waheed sent the Carnesecca Arena crowd into a frenzy. She expanded the lead to nine at 61-52.

With the game tied and everything on the line in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma State was outplayed and outhustled by a St. John’s team that found another gear when it mattered most. Ultimately, the Cowgirls’ inability to match the Red Storm’s intensity in crunch time was the difference. This was a game they controlled for stretches.

Making one final push and cutting the deficit to five in the final minute, Oklahoma State couldn’t complete the comeback. Making crucial stops and taking care of business at the free-throw line, St. John’s sealed the victory. Going 10-of-18 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter—still not great, but enough to close out the game—the Red Storm survived.

The Oklahoma State head coach was candid about her team’s fourth-quarter collapse. She cited poor defensive execution and a lack of discipline.

“I liked our fight in that third quarter. Down the stretch, we just simply did not execute, especially defensively,” Hoyt said. “We didn’t execute defensively, and then we’re in a situation where we really are just in a hurry-up offense the whole time. It’s not like we can really run set things. We played really good defense several times, and then fouled with five seconds, three seconds on the shot clock. So that’s just a discipline thing for us.”

Oklahoma State’s Struggles and Identity Crisis

Stailee Heard’s Inefficient Night

Leading the Cowgirls with 15 points, Stailee Heard needed 11 field goal attempts to get there. She went just 2-of-11 from the floor. Doing her damage at the free-throw line, Heard converted 10-of-12 attempts. But she couldn’t find her rhythm in the field.

Supporting Cast Contributions

Achol Akot added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting with six rebounds. Lena Girardi and Jadyn Wooten each scored 10 points off the bench. Contributing nine points, Amari Whiting provided a spark. But leading scorer Micah Gray was held to just nine points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Offensive Collapse

Averaging over 105 points per game, Oklahoma State’s offense was completely stifled by St. John’s defensive game plan. Representing a season-low and a shocking 38-point drop from their season average, the Cowgirls’ 67 points exposed serious vulnerabilities.

Absence of Trademark Identity

More concerning for Oklahoma State was the complete absence of their trademark pace and precision. Looking tentative, unsure, and unable to impose their will on a St. John’s team that was begging to be beaten with its offensive inefficiency, the Cowgirls faltered. Haunting them as they review the film, Oklahoma State’s failure to capitalize on St. John’s mistakes will be a painful lesson. Their inability to execute in the fourth quarter compounds the disappointment.

Oklahoma State’s head coach gave credit to St. John’s while acknowledging her team’s failure to impose their style.

“I want to start by giving credit to St. John’s. I thought they played a great ball game. They executed really well. They did exactly what they needed to do to win,” Hoyt said. “We knew that it was going to be a style that was very different than what we’re used to playing, and I felt like they did a good job of really imposing their will in terms of their style and dictating that versus us being able to play a more up-tempo style like we normally do.”

Coach’s Blunt Assessment of Effort

Not mincing words when describing her team’s effort and mindset, the Oklahoma State head coach was particularly critical. She focused on their performance on the glass and in loose-ball situations.

“They kicked our butt. They were on the floor for 50-50 balls before us. Every loose ball went their way because they were out-hustling us. And that’s really where I’m most disappointed,” she said. “I didn’t feel like our kids weren’t trying, but they definitely weren’t as hungry as they needed to be, especially on the road. That’s where I think that just it’s a learning experience for us. Everyone’s pumped up to play you when you’re a ranked team, and we did not play that way at all tonight. Our kids didn’t understand that urgency tonight.”

Improving to 4-1—But Work Remains

Building Momentum with Three Straight Wins

Improving St. John’s to 4-1 overall and 3-0 at home this season, the victory marks the Red Storm’s third consecutive win. Building momentum heading into a challenging stretch of the schedule, St. John’s is positioning itself well for Big East play.

Offensive Deficiencies Must Be Addressed

However, St. John’s coaching staff must address the glaring offensive deficiencies that nearly cost them this game. Lacking severely in three-point shooting and free-throw shooting, the Red Storm needs players to realize the moments in games. They must take full advantage of them.

Championship Defense, Inconsistent Offense

Against a more disciplined and confident opponent, St. John’s cannot afford to leave 15 free throws on the table. They also can’t shoot 28.6% from three-point range. Championship-caliber on defense, the Red Storm must improve offensive execution dramatically. This is essential if they hope to sustain success in Big East play.

When asked about the importance of the victory for tournament positioning and momentum, the St. John’s players remained focused on the next challenge.

“After winning this game, I feel like we can’t take it and be like, I feel like we have to keep going to every team, preparing for each team, like any game,” Lavelle said. “Yeah, that’s a big win from the standpoint of the program, but we just got to keep fighting and keep leveling up.”

Looking Ahead

Central Connecticut State Up Next

Closing its homestand Monday night, St. John’s will host Central Connecticut State at 6 p.m. at Carnesecca Arena. Following that contest, the Red Storm will travel to the Cayman Islands Classic on November 28-29. They will face Georgia Tech and Memphis in a challenging neutral-site tournament.

Cayman Islands Classic Opportunity

Providing St. John’s with an opportunity to test itself against quality competition, the Cayman Islands Classic will allow the team to continue building toward Big East play. Sky-high after taking down a top-25 opponent, the Red Storm’s confidence should be soaring. But the coaching staff will be working overtime to clean up the offensive mistakes that nearly derailed this victory.

Staying Consistent Moving Forward

The St. John’s coaching staff emphasized the importance of staying consistent and continuing to improve. While the victory is worth celebrating, the focus must quickly shift to the next opponent.

“I’ve done this long enough to know that you go to the next game and you’ve got to be prepared for the most important game, which is your next one,” the coach said. “Yeah, I look for us to be able to have this opportunity and for us to have this game and be able to play against an opponent that’s a top 20 team and to execute and compete and finish the deal the way we did. I love what I saw. At the same time, I want to make sure we continue to get better and stay consistent. These guys really competed tonight, and it’s obviously always big when you can win, and we celebrate it tonight and we move on to what we have in front of us.”

Historical Context

Tradition of Home Upsets

Continuing St. John’s tradition of pulling off big upsets at home, Wednesday’s victory adds to a growing legacy. Remaining one of the program’s signature wins in recent years, the Red Storm’s shocking 69-64 victory over then-No. 4/5 UConn on February 21, 2023, set the standard.

Competing with Elite Programs

Demonstrating that St. John’s has the talent and coaching to compete with the nation’s elite programs, the ability to defeat ranked opponents speaks volumes. As the Red Storm continues to develop chemistry and confidence—and cleans up offensive execution—more statement victories could be on the horizon.

Building on Past Success

Showing what St. John’s is capable of when playing at its best, the 2015 victory over then-No. 17/18 Marquette in non-conference play provided a blueprint. Suggesting this team has the potential to make noise in Big East play and beyond, Wednesday’s performance against Oklahoma State offers hope. But they must shore up their offensive consistency.

Perfect Record Against Oklahoma State

Demonstrating a program that knows how to execute against quality opponents when the stakes are high, the Red Storm’s perfect 2-0 all-time record against Oklahoma State is impressive. With both victories coming by single digits in tightly contested games, St. John’s has proven it can close out tight contests against the Cowgirls.

The Takeaway

Equal Parts Impressive and Concerning

St. John’s 74-67 victory over No. 18/21 Oklahoma State was equal parts impressive and concerning. Championship-caliber on defense, the Red Storm held a high-powered offense 38 points below its season average. Exactly what winning teams display in critical moments, the fourth-quarter execution and hustle were textbook.

Offensive Inefficiency Nearly Costly

However, the offensive inefficiency—particularly from three-point range and the free-throw line—nearly cost St. John’s a game they should have won by 20-plus points. Handing the Red Storm a victory that could have easily slipped away, Oklahoma State’s identity crisis and inability to execute their game plan proved decisive.

Wake-Up Call Wrapped in Celebration

For St. John’s, this is a wake-up call wrapped in a celebration. Elite on defense, dominant on the boards, and displaying real fourth-quarter toughness, the Red Storm has much to build on. But the offensive execution must improve dramatically. Future opponents will make the Red Storm pay for their mistakes.

Gut-Check Moment for Oklahoma State

For Oklahoma State, this loss is a gut-check moment. Unacceptable for a nationally ranked team, playing with uncertainty, lacking their trademark pace and precision, and getting outhustled in the fourth quarter demands immediate correction. Risking more upsets as the season progresses, the Cowgirls must rediscover their identity quickly.

Ceiling Higher Than Anticipated

Positioning the team well heading into the heart of the non-conference schedule, the Red Storm’s 4-1 start is encouraging. With three consecutive victories and a perfect 3-0 home record, momentum is building. If St. John’s can maintain this level of defensive intensity while dramatically improving offensive efficiency, the ceiling for this season is much higher than many anticipated.

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